Crystal structures of lazulite-type oxidephosphates TiTi3O3(PO4)3 and M4Ti27O24(PO4)24 (M=Ti, Cr, Fe)

Single crystals of the oxidephosphates Ti^IIITi^IV₃O₃(PO₄)₃ (black), Cr^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (red-brown, transparent), and Fe^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (brown) with edge-lengths up to 0.3 mm were grown by chemical vapour transport. The crystal structures of these orthorhombic members (space group F2dd ) of the lazulite/lipscombite structure family were refined from single-crystal data [Ti^IIITi^IV₃O₃(PO₄)₃: Z=24, a=7.3261(9) Å, b=22.166(5) Å, c=39.239(8) Å, R₁=0.029, wR₂=0.084, 6055 independent reflections, 301 variables; Cr^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄: Z=1, a=7.419(3) Å, b=21.640(5) Å, c=13.057(4) Å, R₁=0.037, wR₂=0.097, 1524 independent reflections, 111 variables; Fe^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄: Z=1, a=7.4001(9) Å, b=21.7503(2) Å, c=12.775(3) Å, R₁=0.049, wR₂=0.140, 1240 independent reflections, 112 variables). For Ti^IIITi^IVO₃(PO₄)₃ a well-ordered structure built from dimers [Ti^III,IV₂O₉] and [Ti^IV,IV₂O₉] and phosphate tetrahedra is found. The metal sites in the crystal structures of Cr₄Ti₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ and Fe₄Ti₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄, consisting of dimers [M^IIITi^IVO₉] and [Ti^IV,IV₂O₉], monomeric [Ti^IVO₆] octahedra, and phosphate tetrahedra, are heavily disordered. Site disorder, leading to partial occupancy of all octahedral voids of the parent lipscombite/lazulite structure, as well as splitting of the metal positions is observed. According to Guinier photographs Ti^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (a=7.418(2) Å, b=21.933(6) Å, c=12.948(7) Å) is isotypic to the oxidephosphates M^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (M^III: Cr, Fe). The UV/vis spectrum of Cr₄Ti₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ reveals a rather small ligand-field splitting Δ_o=14,370 cm⁻¹ and a very low nephelauxetic ratio β=0.72 for the chromophores [Cr^IIIO₆] within the dimers [Cr^IIITi^IVO₉].     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of new phosphates K2Mn0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3 and K2Co0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3 with the langbeinite structure

New complex phosphates of the general formula K₂M_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ (M=Mn, Co) have been obtained from the melting mixture of KPO₃, K₄P₂O₇, TiO₂ and CoCO₃·mCo(OH)₂ or Mn(H₂PO₄)₂ by means of a flux technique. The synthesized phosphates have been characterized by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction and the FTIR-spectroscopy. The compounds crystallize in the cubic system with the space group P2₁3 and cell parameters a=9.9030(14) Å for K₂Mn_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ and a=9.8445(12) Å for K₂Co_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃. Both phosphates are isostructural with the langbeinite mineral and contain four formula unit K₂M_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ per unit cell. The structure can be described using [M₂(PO₄)₃] framework composed of two [MO₆] octahedra interlinked via three [PO₄] tetrahedra. The Curie-Weiss-type behavior is observed in the magnetic susceptibility.     

A crystal structure of mixed-metal dianionic phosphate Cs3.70Mg0.60Ti2.78(TiO)3(P2O7)4(PO4)2

The single crystals of caesium magnesium titanium (IV) tri-oxo-tetrakis-diphosphate bis-monophosphate, Cs_3.70Mg_0.60Ti_2.78(TiO)₃(P₂O₇)₄(PO₄)₂, crystallize in sp. gr. P-1 (No. 2) with cell parameters a=6.3245(4), b=9.5470(4), c=15.1892(9) Å, α=72.760(4), β=85.689(5), γ=73.717(4), z=1. The titled compound possesses a three-dimensional tunnel structure built by the corner-sharing of distorted [TiO₆] octahedra, [Ti₂O₁₁] bioctahedra, [PO₄] monophosphate and [P₂O₇] pyrophosphate groups. The Cs⁺ cations are located in the tunnels. The partial substitution of Ti positions with Mg atoms is observed. The negative charge of the framework is balanced by Cs cations and Mg atoms leading to pronounced concurrency and orientation disorder in the [P₂O₇] groups, which coordinate both.     

Double (n=2) and triple (n=3) [M4Bi2n−2O2n] polycationic ribbons in the new Bi∼3Cd∼3.72M∼1.28O5(PO4)3 oxyphosphate (M=Co, Cu, Zn)

The crystal structure of the new Bi_∼3Cd_∼3.72Co_∼1.28O₅(PO₄)₃ has been refined from single crystal XRD data, R₁=5.37%, space group Abmm, a=11.5322(28) Å, b=5.4760(13) Å, c=23.2446(56) Å, Z=4. Compared to Bi_∼1.2M_∼1.2O_1.5(PO₄) and Bi_∼6.2Cu_∼6.2O₈(PO₄)₅, this compound is an additional example of disordered Bi³⁺/M²⁺ oxyphosphate and is well described from the arrangement of double [Bi₄Cd₄O₆]⁸⁺ (=D) and triple [Bi₂Cd_3.44Co_0.56O₄]⁶⁺ (=T) polycationic ribbons formed of edge-sharing O(Bi,M)₄ tetrahedra surrounded by PO₄ groups. According to the nomenclature defined in this work, the sequence is TT/DtDt, where t stands for the tunnels created by PO₄ between two subsequent double ribbons and occupied by Co²⁺. The HREM study allows a clear visualization of the announced sequence by comparison with the refined crystal structure. The Bi³⁺/M²⁺ statistic disorder at the edges of T and D entities is responsible for the PO₄ multi-configuration disorder around a central P atom. Infrared spectroscopy and neutron diffraction of similar compounds (without the highly absorbing Cadmium) even suggests the long range ordering loss for phosphates. Therefore, electron diffraction shows the existence of a modulation vector q^*=1/2a^*+(1/3+ε)b^* which pictures cationic ordering in the (001) plane, at the crystallite scale. This ordering is largely lost at the single crystal scale. The existence of mixed Bi³⁺/M²⁺ positions also enables a partial filling of the tunnels by Co²⁺ and yields a composition range checked by solid state reaction. The title compound can be prepared as a single phase and also the M=Zn²⁺ term can be obtained in a biphasic mixture. For M=Cu²⁺, a monoclinic distortion has been evidenced from XRD and HREM patterns but surprisingly, the orthorhombic ideal form can also be obtained in similar conditions.     

Synthesis and characterization of two-dimensional fluorinated metal phosphates incorporating 2,2′-bipyridine ligands: M2F2(2,2′-bpy)(HPO4)2(H2O) (M=Fe, Ga)

Two fluorinated metal phosphates, M₂F₂(2,2′-bpy)(HPO₄)₂(H₂O) (M=Fe, Ga), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and magnetic susceptibility. The two compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the triclinic space group , a=7.6595(8)Å, b=10.101(1)Å, c=11.260(1)Å, α=107.555(2)°, β=105.174(2)°, γ=98.975(2)°, V=775.1(2)ų and Z=2 for the Fe compound, and a=7.5816(6)Å, b=9.9943(7)Å, c=11.1742(8)Å, α=107.333(1)°, β=105.014(1)°, γ=99.261(1)° and V=754.2(2)ų for the Ga compound. They are the first fluorinated metal phosphates which incorporate 2,2′-bipyridine ligands. The structure consists of edge-sharing octahedral dimers with the composition Fe₂F₄(H₂O)₂O₄ and discrete FeN₂O₄ octahedra, which are linked into two-dimensional sheets through corner-sharing phosphate tetrahedra. The 2,2′-bpy ligands bind in a bidentate fashion to the metal atoms and project into interlamellar region. The layers are extended into a three-dimensional supramolecular array via π-π stacking interactions of the 2,2′-bpy ligands. Magnetic susceptibility of the iron compound confirms the presence of Fe^III.     

Crystal structure and cation transport properties of the layered monodiphosphates Rb6Bi4(PO4)2(P2O7)3

Single crystals of the new Bi(III) phosphates, Rb₆Bi₄(PO₄)₂(P₂O₇)₃, have been isolated and their structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=9.077(1)Å, b=9.268(2)Å, c=36.418(6)Å, β=95.75(1)° and Z=8. The crystal structure is made up of BiO₅ and BiO₆ polyhedra sharing the corners with PO₄ tetrahedra and P₂O₇ diphosphate groups. The structure can be described as infinite anionic layers with composition [Bi₄(PO₄)₂(P₂O₇)₃]_∞⁶⁻ parallel to the [301] plane, connected via P-O-Bi bridges to form a three-dimensional open framework. This framework delimits tunnels running along [100] and [010] directions, where the rubidium ions reside. This compound exhibits a rubidium ion conduction but with rather low conductivity value at 640 K.     

Four new hydroxymonophosphates with closely related intersecting tunnels structures: The series AM(PO3(OH))2 with A=Rb, Cs; M=Fe, Al, Ga, In

The family of hydroxymonophosphates of generic formula AM^III(PO₃(OH))₂ has been revisited using hydrothermal techniques. Four new phases have been synthesized: CsIn(PO₃(OH))₂, RbFe(PO₃(OH))₂, RbGa(PO₃(OH))₂ and RbAl(PO₃(OH))₂. Single crystal diffraction studies show that they exhibit two different structural types from previously observed other phases with A=H₃O, NH₄, Rb and M=Al, V, Fe. The “Cs-In” and “Rb-Fe” phosphates crystallize in the triclinic space group , with the cell parameters a=7.4146(3) Å, b=9.0915(3) Å, c=9.7849(3) Å, α=65.525(3)°, β=70.201(3)°, γ=69.556(3)° and V=547.77(4) Å³ (Z=3) for CsIn(PO₃(OH))₂ and a=7.2025(4) Å, b=8.8329(8) Å, c=9.4540(8) Å, α=65.149(8)°, β=70.045(6)°, γ=69.591(6)° and V=497.44(8) Å³ (Z=3) for α-RbFe(PO₃(OH))₂. The “Rb-Al” and “Rb-Ga” phosphates crystallize in the Rc space group, with a=8.0581(18) Å and c=51.081(12) Å (V=2872.5(11) Å³ and Z=18) for RbAl(PO₃(OH))₂ and a=8.1188(15) Å and c=51.943(4) Å (V=2965(8) Å and Z=18) for RbGa(PO₃(OH))₂. These two structural types are closely related. Both are built up from M^IIIO6 octahedra sharing their apices with PO₃(OH) tetrahedra to form [M₃(PO₃OH)₆] units, but the latter exhibits a different configuration of their tetrahedra. The three-dimensional host-lattices result from the connection of the [M₃(PO₃OH)₆] units and they present numerous intersecting tunnels containing the monovalent cations.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of mixed metal(III) tungstenyl(VI) ortho-pyrophosphates

The series of isotypic anhydrous ortho-pyrophosphates M^III(W^VIO₂)₂(P₂O₇)(PO₄) (M: Sc, V, Cr, Fe, Mo, Ru, Rh, In, Ir) was obtained via vapor phase moderated solid state reactions in sealed ampoules. The crystal structure of the phosphates M^III(W^VIO₂)₂(P₂O₇)(PO₄) (M: V, Ru, Rh) was solved from single crystal X-ray data (C2/c, Z = 16). Fairly regular MO₆ and distorted WO₆ octahedra share vertices with PO₄ and P₂O₇ units to form a 3D network. For the ortho-pyrophosphates with M: V³⁺, Cr³⁺, and Fe³⁺ the oxidation state of M is confirmed by magnetic measurements. ³¹P-MAS-NMR spectra of the diamagnetic phosphates M^III(W^VIO₂)₂(P₂O₇)(PO₄) (M: Sc, In, Ir) show surprisingly different isotropic chemical shifts for the seven phosphorus sites. V^III(W^VIO₂)₂(P₂O₇)(PO₄) occurs as equilibrium phase in the quasi-binary system (V_1–xW_x)OPO₄ at x = 0.67 and exhibits a small homogeneity range 0.60 ≤ x ≤ 0.67. The scandium compound shows a fully inverted occupancy of the M sites according to the formulation W(Sc_1/2W_1/2O₂)₂(P₂O₇)(PO₄).     

Synthesis, characterization, and structure determination of the orthorhombic U2(PO4)(P3O10)

β-UP₂O₇ has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions (θ=500°C, P=200 MPa), using UO₂ and H₃PO₄. β-UP₂O₇ crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pn2₁a, with a=11.526 (2) Å, b=7.048 (2) Å, c=12.807 (2) Å and Z=4. Its structure has been determined through direct methods and difference Fourier synthesis and has been refined to R=0.0396. The structure is built on UO₈ polyhedral chains along the b-axis. PO₄³⁻ and P₃O₁₀⁵⁻ groups coexist in the structure and the latter groups form non-linear chains. Cohesion of the structure is made through the linkage of UO₈ chains by PO₄ and P₃O₁₀ groups leading to the formula U₂(PO₄)(P₃O₁₀) instead of β-UP₂O₇. Vibrational and optical spectra confirm the results obtained by X-ray diffraction. DTA-TGA measurements show that the transformation of U₂(PO₄)(P₃O₁₀) to the cubic α-UP₂O₇ occurs at θ=870°C.     

A new lead Mo(IV) phosphate with a tunnel structure: Pb2Mo2O(PO4)2P2O7

A molybdenum (IV) phosphate containing lead, Pb₂Mo₂(PO₄)2P₂O₇, has been synthesized for the first time. It crystallizes in the space group C2/c with a=14.098(1) Å, b=14.187(2) Å, c=6.5592(4) Å and β=102.08(1)°. Its original tunnel structure, built up of Mo₂O₁₁ bioctahedra, P₂O₇ and PO₄ phosphate groups can be described from the assemblage of [Mo₄P₄O₂₄]_∞ ribbons interconnected through monophosphate groups. The stereoactivity of the 6s² lone pair of Pb²⁺, which is surrounded by nine oxygen atoms, is discussed.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and structures of the novel niobium phosphates [NbOF(PO4)](N2C5H7) and [(Nb0.9V1.1)O2(PO4)2(H2PO4)](N2C2H10)

Two new niobium phosphates were synthesized and their crystal structures determined from single-crystal X-ray data. [NbOF(PO₄)](N₂C₅H₇) (1) (monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a=11.442(1), b=9.1983(7), c=9.1696(8) Å, β=109.94(1)°) has a layered structure and is the first example of a negatively charged NbOF(PO₄) layer analogous to the MO(H₂O)PO₄ (M=V, Nb) layers. The layer charge is compensated by interlayer 4-aminopyridnium cations that adopt an unusual arrangement as a consequence of H-bonding and π-π interactions. The interlayer aminopyridnium cations can be exchanged with alkylammonium ions which form bilayers inclined at ∼65° to the NbOF(PO₄) layer. [(Nb_0.9V_1.1)O₂(PO₄)₂(H₂PO₄)] (N₂C₂H₁₀) (2) (orthorhombic, space group Pbca, a=15.821(2),b=9.0295(9),c=18.301(2) Å) has a disordered three-dimensional structure based on NbO(PO₄) layers cross-linked by phosphate tetrahedra, and has a similar structure to the known vanadium analog [V₂O₂(PO₄)₂(H₂PO₄)] (N₂C₂H₁₀).     

Synthesis and crystal structure of two new uranyl oxychloro-vanadate layered compounds: M7(UO2)8(VO4)2O8Cl with M=Rb, Cs

Two new alkali uranyl oxychloro vanadates M₇(UO₂)₈(VO₄)₂O₈Cl with M=Rb, Cs, have been synthesized by solid-state reactions and their structures determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. They crystallize in the orthorhombic system with space groups Pmcn and Pmmn, respectively. The a and b unit cell parameters are almost identical in both compounds while the c parameter in the Rb compound is doubled: Rb—a=21.427(5) Å, b=11.814(3) Å, c=14.203(3) Å, V=3595.1(1) Å³, Z=4, ρ_mes=5.93(2) g/cm³, ρ_cal=5.82(1) g/cm³; Cs—a=21.458(3) Å, b=11.773(2) Å, c=7.495(1) Å, V=1893.6(5) Å³, Z=2, ρ_mes=6.09(2) g/cm³, ρ_cal=6.11(1) g/cm³. A full-matrix least-squares refinement yielded R₁=0.0221, wR₂=0.0562 for 2675 independent reflections and R₁=0.0386, wR₂=0.1042 for 2446 independent reflections, for the Rb and Cs compounds, respectively. Data were collected with Mo(Kα) radiation and a charge coupled device (CCD) detector of a Bruker diffractometer. Both structures are characterized by [(UO₂)₈(VO₄)₂O₈Cl]_n⁷ⁿ⁻ layers parallel to the (001) plane. The layers are built up from VO₄ tetrahedra, UO₇ and UO₆Cl pentagonal bipyramids, and UO₆ distorded octahedra. The UO₇ and UO₆Cl pentagonal bipyramids are associated by sharing opposite equatorial edges to form infinite chains (UO₅-UO₄Cl-UO₅)_n parallel to the a axis. These chains are linked together by VO₄ tetrahedra, UO₆ octahedra, UO₇ corner sharing and UO₆Cl, Cl sharing. Both structures differ simply by the symmetry of the layers. The unit cell contains one centrosymmetric layer in the Cs compound, whereas in the two-layer unit cell of the Rb compound, two non-centrosymmetric consecutive layers are related by an inversion center. The layers appear to be held together by the alkali ions. The mobility of the M⁺ ions within the interlayer space in M₇(UO₂)₈(VO₄)₂O₈Cl and carnotite analog compounds is compared.     

Crystal structure and properties of the new vanadyl(IV)phosphates Na2MVO(PO4)2, M=Ca and Sr

Two new complex vanadyl(IV)phosphates Na₂MVO(PO₄)₂ (M=Ca, Sr) were synthesized in evacuated quartz ampoules and investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, DTA, ESR and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The crystal structure of Na₂SrVO(PO₄)₂ was solved ab initio from X-ray powder diffraction data. Both compounds are isostructural: a=10.5233(3) Å, b=6.5578(2) Å, c=10.0536(3) Å and a=10.6476(3) Å, b=6.6224(2) Å, c=10.2537(3) Å for Ca and Sr, respectively; S.G. Pnma, Z=4. The compounds have a three-dimensional structure consisting of V⁴⁺O₆ octahedra connected by PO₄ tetrahedra via five of the six vertexes forming a framework with cross-like channels. The strontium and sodium atoms are located in the channels in an ordered manner. Electron diffraction as well as high-resolution electron microscopy confirmed the structure solution. The new vanadylphosphates are Curie-Weiss paramagnets in a wide temperature range down to 2 K with θ=12 and 5 K for Ca and Sr phases, respectively.     

New process of preparation, structure, and physicochemical investigations of the new titanyl phosphate Ti2O(H2O)(PO4)2

New titanyl phosphate Ti₂O(H₂O)(PO₄)₂ has been prepared and characterized by X-ray and neutron diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and Raman spectroscopies and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal structure has been solved from neutron powder diffraction data at 300 K by Rietveld method in P2₁ space group. The refinement led to satisfactory profile factors (R_p=2.7%, R_wp=3.2%) and crystal structure model indicators (R_B=5.8%, R_F=3.2%). The cell is monoclinic with a=7.3735 Å, b=7.0405 Å, c=7.6609 Å and β=121.48°, Z=4. The structure can be described as a three-dimensional framework built up by chains of [TiO₅(OH₂)] octahedra with alternative short bonds [Ti₍₁₎-O₍₁₂₎; Ti₍₂₎-O₍₁₂₎, 1.88-1.84 Å] and long ones [Ti₍₁₎-O_W; Ti₍₂₎-O_W, 2.25-2.23 Å] along c-axis and connected via [PO₄] tetrahedra. Oxygen atom denoted O₍₁₂₎ is only linked to two titanium atoms and Oxygen atom denoted O_W is linked to two titanium atoms and two hydrogen atoms. O₍₁₂₎ and O_W are not linked to P atoms and justify the titanyl phosphate formulation Ti₂O(H₂O)(PO₄)₂. The infrared and Raman spectra presents peaks due to vibrations of Ti-O, P-O and O-H bonds. The ³¹P MAS NMR spectrum reveals two ³¹P resonance lines, in agreement with the structure which showed two crystallographic sites for phosphorus. The thermogravimetric analysis show that Ti₂O(H₂O)(PO₄)₂ is thermally stable until 400 °C. Above this temperature, it losses water and decomposes to Ti₅O₄(PO₄)₄ and TiP₂O₇.     

Hydrothermal Syntheses, Structures, and Properties of Two New Potassium Vanadium Phosphates: K3(VO) (V2O3) (PO4)2(HPO4) and K3 (VO) (HV2O3) (PO4)2(HPO4)

Two new potassium vanadium phosphates have been prepared and their structures have been determined from analysis of single crystal X-ray data. The two compounds, K₃(VO)(V₂O₃) (PO₄)₂(HPO₄) and K₃(VO)(HV₂O₃)(PO₄)₂(HPO₄), are isostructural, except for the incorporation of an extra hydrogen atom into the nearly identical frameworks. The structures consist of a three-dimensional network of [VO]_n chains connected through phosphate groups to a [V₂O₃] moiety. Magnetic susceptibility experiments indicate that in the case of the di-hydrogen compound, there are no significant magnetic interactions between the three independent vanadium (IV) centers. Crystal data: for K₃(VO)(V₂O₃)(PO₄)₂ (HPO₄), M_r = 620.02, orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62), a = 7.023(4) Å, b = 13.309(7) Å, c = 14.294(7) Å, V = 1336(2) ų, Z = 4, R = 5.02%, and R_w = 5.24% for 1238 observed reflections [I > 3σ(I)]; for K₃(VO)(HV₂O₃)(PO₄)₂(HPO₄), M_r = 621.04, orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62), a = 6.975(3) Å, b = 13.559(7) Å, c = 14.130(7) Å, V = 1336(1) ų, Z = 4, R = 6.02%, and R_w = 6.34% for 1465 observed reflections [I > 3σ(I)].     

Synthesis crystal structure and ionic conductivity of Ca0.5Bi3V2O10 and Sr0.5Bi3V2O10

Two new compounds Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ and Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ have been synthesized in the ternary system: MO-Bi₂O₃-V₂O₅ system (M=M²⁺). The crystal structure of Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ has been determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data, space group and Z=2, with cell parameters a=7.1453(3) Å, b=7.8921(3) Å, c=9.3297(3) Å, α=106.444(2)°, β=94.088(2)°, γ=112.445(2)°, V=456.72(4) Å³. Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ is isostructural with Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀, with, a=7.0810(2) Å, b=7.8447(2) Å, c=9.3607(2) Å, α=106.202(1)°, β=94.572(1)°, γ=112.659(1)°, V=450.38(2) Å³ and its structure has been refined by Rietveld method using powder X-ray data. The crystal structure consists of infinite chains of (Bi₂O₂) along c-axis formed by linkage of BiO₈ and BiO₆ polyhedra interconnected by MO₈ polyhedra forming 2D layers in ac plane. The vanadate tetrahedra are sandwiched between these layers. Conductivity measurements give a maximum conductivity value of 4.54×10⁻⁵ and 3.63×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ for Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ and Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀, respectively at 725 °C.     

A Mixed-Valent Molybdenotungsten Monophosphate with a Tunnel Structure: Nax(Mo, W)2O3(PO4)2

A mixed-valent molybdenotungstophosphate, Na_x(Mo, W)₂O₃(PO₄)₂ (x 0.75) has been isolated for the first time. It crystallizes in the space group P 2₁/m with a = 7.200(1) Å, b = 6.369(1) Å, c = 9.123(1) Å, and β = 106.29(1)°. Its structure consists of M₂PO₁₃ units built up of two M O₆ octahedra (M = Mo, W) and one PO₄ tetrahedron sharing their apices as already observed in several molybdenum phosphates. These units share their apices with PO₄ tetrahedra forming [M₂P₂O₁₅]_∞ chains running along . The host lattice [(Mo, W)₂P₂O₁₁]_∞ can be described by the assemblage of such chains or by the assemblage of [MPO₈]_∞ chains running along , in which one PO₄ tetrahedron alternates with one MO₆ octahedron. The tridimensional framework [Mo, WP₂O₁₁]_∞ delimits tunnels running along , occupied by sodium with two kinds of coordination, 6 and 5. The distribution of the different species, in the octahedral sites according to the formulation Na_0.75(Mo^VI_0.42W^VI_0.58)_M1 (Mo^V_0.75W^VI_0.25)₂O₃(PO₄)₂, is discussed.     

Crystal structure and vibrational spectra of tetrasodium dimagnesium dihydrogen diphosphate octahydrate Na4Mg2(H2P2O7)4·8H2O

A tetrasodium dimagnesium dihydrogen diphosphate octahydrate Na₄Mg₂(H₂P₂O₇)₄·8H₂O was synthesized. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/m (no. 11), Z=4, and its unit-cell parameters are: a=8.0445(3) Å, b=11.5244(5) Å, c=9.0825(4) Å, β=113.1401(2)°, V=774.28(6) Å³. The structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry and refined to a R index of 0.0294 (wR=0.0727) for 1878 independent reflections with I>2σ(I). The framework is made by the alternance of layers of MgO₆/NaO₆ octahedra and double tetrahedra PO₄ along b-axis. Such layers are characterized by the presence of strong hydrogen bonds. (H₂P₂O₇)²⁻ anions exhibit bent eclipsed conformation. Besides, the crystal was analyzed by FT-IR and micro-Raman vibrational spectroscopy. No coincidences of the majority of the Raman and infrared spectra bands of Na₄Mg₂(H₂P₂O₇)₄·8H₂O confirms a centrosymmetric structure of this material. The vibrational spectra confirm the bent POP configuration in this compound.     

The study of Bi3B5O12: synthesis, crystal structure and thermal expansion of oxoborate Bi3B5O12

The paper presents a new data on the crystal structure, thermal expansion and IR spectra of Bi₃B₅O₁₂. The Bi₃B₅O₁₂ single crystals were grown from the melt of the same stoichiometry by Czochralski technique. The crystal structure of Bi₃B₅O₁₂ was refined in anisotropic approximation using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It is orthorhombic, Pnma, a=6.530(4), b=7.726(5), c=18.578(5) Å, V=937.2(5) Å³, Z=4, R=3.45%. Bi³⁺ atoms have irregular coordination polyhedra, Bi(1)O₆ (d(B-O)=2.09-2.75 Å) and Bi(2)O₇ (d(B-O)=2.108-2.804 Å). Taking into account the shortest bonds only, these polyhedra are considered here as trigonal Bi(1)O₃ (2.09-2.20 Å) and tetragonal Bi(2)O₄ (2.108-2.331 Å) irregular pyramids with Bi atoms in the tops of both pyramids. The BiO₄ polyhedra form zigzag chains along b-axis. These chains alternate with isolated anions [B₂^IVB₃^IIIO₁₁]⁷⁻ through the common oxygen atoms to form thick layers extended in ab plane. A perfect cleavage of the compound corresponds to these layers and an imperfect one is parallel to the Bi-O chains. The Bi₃B₅O₁₂ thermal expansion is sharply anisotropic (α₁₁≈α₂₂=12, α₃₃=3×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹) likely due to a straightening of the flexible zigzag chains along b-axis and decreasing of their zigzag along c-axis. Thus the properties like cleavage and thermal expansion correlate to these chains.